Browsing by Author "Howell, Anne"

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    Pamplin entryway designs
    Gilboy, Elizabeth; Marshall, Ashleigh; Steika, Kim; Abu Bakar, Shamsul; Thomas, Jordan; Cox, Stephen; Howell, Anne (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2012-10)
    Pamplin City is a small community whose downtown is located in Appomattox County just off of US 460, between Appomattox and Farmville. “The town has recently begun a revitalization process, which has included Appomattox County library bringing in an Annex site to the former Pamplin City Train Depot used by the Norfolk and Southern Railroad Company. This renovated train depot serves as a library and meeting place for the town and frequently sees many of the town’s inhabitants on holidays or special occasions when gatherings are scheduled.” Also nearby is the newly opened High Bridge Trail State Park. The trail will soon extend into Pamplin. Sewer line improvements are also in the works. It is hoped that these improvements will continue to improve the downtown area.

    The Community Design Assistance Center believes that entryway landscapes and signage could support and enhance current improvement efforts and draw attention to the downtown area. Through a partnership with the Virginia Department of Forestry, the Design Center was able to off er a Virginia Department of Forestry’s Urban and Community Forestry grant to develop a conceptual design for each of the two entrance areas into town (see circle areas project site map above). The street design for the approach to downtown from the west (Route 460 to 47 to Main Street) is a hard left offering few sight lines for the traveler into town. The road design “forces” the driver to look in another direction drawing attention away from the downtown area. A vacant piece of land is located in the area to the right of the old barbershop (top circle, project site map) that could become a nicely landscaped area with a welcome sign.
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    Waverly, Virginia : community park, downtown revitalization, and entryway enhancements
    Gilboy, Elizabeth; Marshall, Ashleigh; Proctor, Nicholaus; Talley, Stephen; Howell, Anne (Virginia Tech. Community Design Assistance Center, 2012-08)
    Waverly is a small town of approximately 2,300 residents, located in Southside Virginia’s Sussex County. Waverly has a history of pine tree and peanut farms, with several former mills in the area as well as a local Carver Peanut Museum. Land was donated for a town park – the Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park – and the town of Waverly and its Parks and Recreation Commission approached the Community Design Assistance Center (CDAC) at Virginia Tech for conceptual design assistance for the park as well as conceptual ideas for Waverly's downtown streetscape, a possible town square, and entryway designs. CDAC worked with the town, the Parks and Recreation Commission, and community residents to develop conceptual design ideas for the following three areas:

    Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park Conceptual Master Plan: The Allen W. Gibson Jr. Community Park already contains a few programmatic elements including parking and four tennis courts. The town and its Parks and Recreation Commission envisioned the addition of several other programmatic elements including a paved walking trail, playground, possibly basketball courts, and a covered pavilion picnic area. Using community input, CDAC developed a conceptual master plan for the park that transformed the tennis courts into a multi-functional space, improved the parking structure, and added a variety of amenities including restrooms, picnic areas, signs, beautiful plantings, and an entry garden to the adjacent Ruritan fields.

    Downtown Streetscape, Town Plaza, and Farmer’s Market: The town of Waverly is interested in enhancing its downtown streetscape. One shop owner is currently working with the Department of Community Housing and Development to improve four buildings on Main Street. The town worked with CDAC to explore conceptual design possibilities for enhancing Main Street’s streetscape with elements such as street trees, improved sidewalks, seating, and pedestrian scale lighting. Additionally, there is interest in a possible farmer’s market and town square adjacent to Main Street.

    Waverly Entryway Conceptual Designs: Currently, Waverly has four formal entry signs. These signs could be enhanced and highlighted through plantings. Additionally, if space permits, Waverly could benefit from an improved entry area near the intersection of Main Street and US 460. CDAC worked with the town and community to develop conceptual ideas for enhancing these entries